Pharmacist Salary in Rockville, MD: $152,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Rockville, MD earns a median $152,899/year (≈ $73.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Rockville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $139,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rockville, Maryland, the pharmacist salary is projected to reach a median of $152,899 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $143,489 by approximately 6.56%. This figure reflects a competitive salary range that spans from $110,683 at the lower end (P10) to $188,087 at the higher end (P90). These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, reveal a distinct structural divide in the profession. Those employed as hospital clinical specialists generally earn more than retail pharmacy managers and staff pharmacists, creating a hierarchy that influences overall compensation levels. This variance is significant for pharmacists considering career paths in Rockville's evolving job market, particularly as retail pharmacy settings face consolidation challenges.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,683 | $53.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,105 | $66.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,899 | $73.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,175 | $84.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,087 | $90.43 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,404 (2026 est.). At $152,899, the local median is 6.56% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockville: You'd be above the median
How Rockville Pharmacist Pay Compares
Rockville median: $152,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $156,819 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +6.56% more |
Pharmacists in Rockville, MD earn a median of $152,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $156,819.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,899 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,889 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,490
2025 BLS Actual
$150,151
2026 Current Est.
$152,899
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Rockville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,151 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,002 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,456 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,951 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,853 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,151 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $155,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockville metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $136,490 (2019) to $150,151 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $155,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,207 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $110,683 – $138,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,105 – $152,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,899 – $176,175 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,175 – $188,087 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Rockville
The local job market employs about 15 pharmacists, offering insight into the robust demand for professionals in Rockville. The cost of living index, at 109.3, slightly above the national average, suggests that while salaries are appealing, they may not fully offset living expenses. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital outpatient and specialty pharmacies, which tend to offer premium compensation compared to retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens. This disparity in pay can be attributed to several factors, including the complexities of care in hospital settings, various stipend opportunities for board certification, residency training, and differential rates for overnight shifts. To maximize income potential within this market, aspiring pharmacists should consider pursuing PGY-1 pharmacy residencies or relevant certifications from BPS, particularly for positions in hospitals or specialty environments that reflect the growing scope of pharmacy practice, including ambulatory care and clinical services.
More salary data for Rockville, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $150,151 for pharmacistsin the Rockville metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rockville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov